Behold the Oak whose firm fix’d stay
Doth check Oppression’s course,
Whose slightest branch can ne’er decay,
While strong with Virtue’s force.
Our much lov’d Sovereign decks the branch,
The highest of the Tree:
And peaceful Louis tho’ driven from France,
Among its boughs you’ll see.
The Regent’s Portrait next behold,
Whose Councils Wisdom guides;
And Russia’s noble Monarch bold,
Who check’d the Tyrant’s strides.
Immortal Wellington next is seen,
Whose fame can ne’er expire;
And vet’ran Blucher’s warlike mien
That kindled Napoleon’s ire.
The Mushroom race you have to seek
In weeds about the root,
Who scarce dare at the Oak to peep,
Or at its princely fruit.
This clever picture is by I. Field, and was published May 29, 1815.
THE ROYAL ALLIED OAK AND SELF-CREATED MUSHROOM KINGS.
S. T. Taw, a new caricaturist, gives us ‘The Crown Candidates, or a modest request politely refused’ (May 1815). Louis the Eighteenth, Napoleon, and the young King of Rome are seated at a table. The former is saying, in the hopes of an amicable settlement being come to, ‘Sire, when you have done with the Empire, I will thank you to let me have it.’ Napoleon replies, ‘I am sorry, Sire, it is engaged for that young Gentleman.’ The King of Rome has a torn map, which he is trying to piece, and he says, ‘I think I shall be able to unite them.’
G. Cruikshank drew (June 1, 1815) ‘Preparing for War,’ which is somewhat elaborate in detail. The centre is occupied by a funeral pyre, to which fire has already been applied, ‘Sacred to the Bourbon cause, and dedicated to the Downfall of illegitimate Tyranny.’ Atop of this is chained a bull, decked with flowers for the sacrifice, and draped with a cloth, on which is inscribed: ‘Land Tax—Ditto Personal—Tax on Windows, Dogs, Houses, Servants, Clerks, Shopmen, Carts, Hair powder, Horses, Waiters, Travellers, Income, Armorial bearings,’ &c. &c. Poor John Bull bellows, ‘Alas, and must I come to this! have I bled for so many years in your service, and will you now take my life?’ A typical representative of the House of Commons assures him that it is ‘Better to die Johnny, than live, and see thrive the thing we hate—Let us arm—war—war—interminable war I say, down with the Regicide—no quarter to the Usurper—So I said at Congress, so I now repeat, and if it is your fate to expire at the Altar, Johnny, all I ask is that I may live to preach your funeral sermon.’ A typical House of Lords is about to give him the coup de grâce with a pole-axe inscribed ‘New War Taxes,’ comforting him with ‘No grumbling Johnny, you are a Noble Sacrifice and worthy of the Cause.’ A number of empty bags are waiting to be filled—‘Subsidies,’ ‘The Army,’ ‘The Navy,’ ‘Contractors,’ &c.